Willowbrook raises nearly $63,000 for the American Cancer Society

Willowbrook and Addison Trail recently showed giving back is a cornerstone of District 88 pride.

On March 12, more than 500 District 88 students, staff and community members filled the field house at Willowbrook to raise money for the American Cancer Society during the Relay For Life of District 88 All Youth. Participants enjoyed dancing, games, a moon jump and more. There also was a luminaria to remember those who have lost their battle with cancer. The event raised nearly $59,000 for the American Cancer Society. The team that raised the most money was F1GH7 BACK, with $6,500.

Willowbrook also has hosted other events throughout the school year to raise money for the American Cancer Society, including “Go Pink” events for breast cancer awareness, Facial Hair February and the Brook Olympics.

Throughout the month of October, Willowbrook hosted a variety of events to raise money for breast cancer awareness and research in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The school participated in the Go Pink or Go Home volleyball game at Addison Trail, sold “pink” T-shirts and other “pink” items and decorated the halls and the football stadium in pink. Through those efforts, Willowbrook raised about $700.

This year, 18 male faculty and staff members participated in Facial Hair February, where they gave up shaving for the month of February to raise money. Participants collected donations from friends, family members, students and colleagues. A bracket was used for students to determine the winner of Facial Hair February. This year’s winner is math teacher Neil Wahlgren. Facial Hair February raised about $1,300.

The Brook Olympics is a weeklong series of events and challenges created to help initiate tradition and a sense of class spirit and pride at Willowbrook. That event culminates with an assembly, which took place on March 11 this year. During the assembly, classes go head to head in competitions to earn points, with the hope of their class being named the champion. The seniors were named as this year’s winning class. Juniors finished in 2nd place, sophomores finished in 3rd place and freshmen finished in 4th place. The Brook Olympics raised about $1,800.

During the assembly, actor Quinton Aaron (who played Michael Oher in "The Blind Side") stopped by to share information about The Quinton Aaron Foundation. To watch a video of his visit, go to https://dupage88.net/site/public/videos/?item=193.